Tehran, Iran, May 8
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
The Middle East Association (MEA) is in Tehran with a delegation of 24 companies exploring the post-sanctions market.
This is while the Iranian government is grasping the opportunity of working with world's leading companies to turn the country into a regional production base and a trade hub.
Doing so needs a different management and requires going through a process of change, MEA Chief Executive and delegation leader Peter Meyer told Trend May 7.
Of course the Iranian government's plan is very welcome news to the companies as well, he said, adding, "We are not looking only for the Iranian market. But we can't compete from London."
This is the MEA's third visit to Tehran. The association made two trips to Iran in 2015. The delegation size has ever been on the rise. The current team includes heads of companies ranging in field from construction to transport services, education, and law.
Meyer added that in order to meet the requirements of a robust trade hub, Iran will need much improvement regarding railways, airports, hotels, etc. "It is a big country and it needs powerful infrastructure," he observed.
Tehran has frequently stressed that it would welcome foreign companies which would bring money and technology for joint venture in Iran.
The government is not only eying the country's 80-million population, but the population of neighbor countries as well which makes some 300 million.